§ 64. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Minister of Agriculture if his investigation into the demand for allotments in England and Wales is now completed; and if he is satisfied that local authorities are carrying out their obligation to provide land for allotments and allotment gardens?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. R. Smith)The Ministry has addressed letters to those local authorities in whose areas the unsatisfied demand at 31st December last amounted to one acre or more. A number of replies are still outstanding, but those received to date state that the demand has been met or materially reduced since the Returns were furnished, either by the acquisition of additional land or by the applicants having been accommodated with plots which have become vacant on existing statutory allotments. In a number of cases where the demand has not been satisfied, it is due to the fact that the applicants prefer to wait until plots on particular sites become available rather than to cultivate other land further away from their homes. With regard to the latter part of the question, my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the majority of the local authorities are taking all practicable steps to meet the demand for allotments and allotment gardens.
§ Sir K. WOODIs there not considerable complaint that permanent allotments are not available up and down the country?